Houston high school basketball team forfeits playoff game over faith

A small Houston high school basketball team is in the national spotlight after picking faith over possible glory.

Beren Academy, an Orthodox Jewish day school, was slated to play in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 2A state tournament this weekend, but because the game times conflict with the observation of the Jewish Sabbath, the team will have to forfeit.

Beren, a school with 67 students, appealed to TAPPS to reschedule the state semifinal against Dallas Covenant from 9 p.m. Friday to an earlier time, but the appeal was denied Monday morning.

“It’s disappointing. I’ve been here 10 years and I’ve always known where our priorities lie,” said Chris Cole, Beren’s basketball coach and athletic director. “We were hopeful and optimistic going in that we could be able to do both – adhere to the religious beliefs here and play basketball.”

Beren’s story was picked up by the New York Times, and the school is slated to make an appearance on ESPN’s Outside the Lines later Tuesday.

Beren was able to reschedule two of its earlier playoff games. The Stars played Austin Hill Country on Feb. 18, a Saturday, moving the start time to 8 p.m. In the third round, Beren moved its game Friday from 7:30 p.m. to noon.

Times for semifinals are approved in advance by the host (Mansfield Independent School District), Burleson said in the email. The 2A championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.

High school teams are allowed to play any sports on Sundays, when Christians traditionally worship.

“We were hopeful that they would be able to work with us, but we respect their decision,” Cole said. “It’s never happened where we’ve played during Shabbat, and it will never happen. The kids know that, and the kids are fantastic at understanding.”